Qatar women withdraw from Asian Games basketball over hijab ban

INCHEON, Korea, Republic Of – Qatar’s delegation chief says the women’s basketball team has withdrawn from the Asian Games after organizers refused to let players wear hijabs in competition.

The dispute over the Qatari players’ refusal to remove their hijabs – regarded by some as a rule that discriminates against Muslim women – has created a major stir at the games.

Qatar was due to play Nepal on Thursday afternoon local time but did not show up at the venue for the game.

But Khalid al-Jabir, the delegation chief, said Thursday the basketball team was preparing to return home.